SPCA RESCUES NUMEROUS BIRDS, CATS, 46 RABBITS FROM NEWSTEAD RESIDENCE
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
By: Gina Browning, director of public relations: 716-629-3505

Rabbits Forced to Eat From Bowls Filled With Urine, Feces

SEPTEMBER '08 UPDATE:  So many people called inquiring about the status of the sweet bunny pictured above. His ears were in such rough shape and so badly infected. Thanks to the SPCA's Yelp for Help Fund allowing us the finances to save these animals, here is how the bunny looks one month later (see photo).

AUGUST 29 UPDATE:  Further proceedings in the animal cruelty case concerning Joanne M. Lizauckas of Newstead, NY are scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, 7:00 pm in Newstead Town Court.

AUGUST 13 UPDATE: Tonight in Newstead Town Court, Joanne Lizauckas pled "Not Guilty" to charges of animal cruelty. She is scheduled to reappear in court Wednesday, August 27, 8:00 pm.

AUGUST 1 UPDATE:  This afternoon the SPCA charged Joanne Lizauckas of Newstead, former owner of the rescued animals, with animal cruelty, a misdemeanor in accordance with New York State's Agriculture and Markets Law. She is scheduled to appear in Newstead Town Court August 13, 7:00 pm. All of the animals have been surrendered to the SPCA Serving Erie County.

This afternoon, SPCA Serving Erie County animal cruelty investigators rescued approximately 46 rabbits; 10 cockatiels, lovebirds, and parakeets; and three cats from a Stage Road residence in Newstead, NY (see photos, here). Two deceased rabbits were also removed from the property.

SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigator Lindsey Styborski went to 11470 Stage Road for the first time Tuesday after the SPCA received an anonymous tip that multiple rabbits were living in filth and not being cared for. In a portion of a written statement, Styborski reports, 

"As I proceeded to the rear of the home, I noted a urine smell in the air.....[and] a poorly-maintained rabbit hutch on the rear of the property. As I approached the rabbit enclosure I was covered in flies. I counted approximately 20 rabbits living in unsanitary conditions. The feces underneath the enclosure measured six to eight inches high in different areas. The rabbits were in sections of the enclosure that were broken and damaged. A part of the enclosure at the top half had a space where the wires were rusted, coated in feces, broken, and sticking out, leaving a hole to the bottom half. That bottom of the enclosure was caked in old feces and it covered more than a portion of the rabbit's living space. There is nothing but a wire grate floor on the top half, therefore, the rabbits on the upper portion of the enclosure are dropping their urine and feces through those spaces on to the rabbits in the lower portion. Inside the enclosure the rabbits were eating out of dishes filled with urine, feces, and their food. Several of the rabbits were matted and covered in feces."

At least one rabbit has a broken leg, some suffer from one or more types of infection, many are matted and covered with mites, and most suffer hair loss and are covered with urine and feces.

Upon entering the residence, SPCA officers found cats and several birds living in unsanitary conditions, along with two unclean fish tanks.

At the time of this writing, all animals were being removed from the residence and transported to the SPCA Serving Erie County's Tonawanda shelter infirmary, where each animal will be medically evaluated and treated (see photos, here).

SPCA officials have contacted Erie County Child Protective Services based on the conditions of the home. The SPCA also contacted New York State Police and local building inspectors, who were present at the time of today's rescue.

Keep watching YourSPCA.org for continuing news on this animal cruelty investigation and rescue.

Those who witness a situation that might constitute animal cruelty in Erie County are encouraged to report the circumstances to the SPCA Serving Erie County: 716-875-7360 (Tonawanda) or 716-549-5300 (Angola).   SPCA officers can also be reached through 9-1-1.

IN AFTER-HOURS ANIMAL RESCUE EMERGENCIES, PLEASE CALL THE SPCA AT 716-827-1609. Officers will respond to anonymous complaints.

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